Winter Blues

We are currently in the middle of winter. There are so many things I love about this season. I love the way the snow looks as it is falling, and how pretty it is when the fresh snow covers the grass, roofs, and tree branches. I love the smell of winter - some people think I'm weird for saying this, but every season has such a unique smell and I appreciate them all.

I love the coziness that winter brings. Sipping on a hot cup of coffee while looking out the window at the winter scenery is one of my favorite things.

I absolutely love the holiday spirit, the excitement of the festivities, and the joy through our children's experiences. But after the holidays are over, the coldness, darkness, and lack of being able to be in nature really starts to get to me. I miss the warmth and happiness the sunshine brings. I miss going on walks without freezing or feeling like I'm in a wind tunnel, or risking falling on the ice (which I unfortunately do a lot). I feel stir crazy from being in the house so much. I feel like I'm losing my mind with the kids and their own cabin fever. Also, the sicknesses that come with this time of year make us feel miserable and ruin plans that we have been looking forward to - plans that had given us hope and an opportunity to escape the monotony.

After the spark and hope that the New Year brings, I sink into a winter sadness. Sometimes it happens without me realizing it. I became very aware of my winter blues the other day, when it was 60 degrees the second week of January. I was so excited that I went on a 3 mile walk at 6am. It was still dark and quite windy, but the warmth brought me so much joy that I literally cried. I was just so thankful to be able to go on my walk that I love to take so much in the warmer months. I feel so at ease when I'm around nature. I feel peace, alignment, hope, and gratitude. Walking brings me clarity. On my walk the other day, I daydreamed about when I would be able to go on my walks in the sunshine, with no wind or just a slight breeze. This winter walk with a hint of springtime filled up my mental health cup for the whole day. I was relieved that I went on this walk because not very long after it dropped back down to 40 degrees. This showed me just how trapped I have been feeling in this winter weather. Sometimes when you go so long without something you enjoy, and then all of a sudden it's back, the euphoria you feel makes you realize that you had gone so long without it. You had become so accustomed to life without it, that when you feel the excitement again, it's rather shocking and eye-opening.

When you're in a season of your life (whether literally or figuratively) that is sadder or gloomier than other seasons, reach for joy wherever you can.